US20080289985A1

US20080289985A1 - Pin tip covering device

Info

Publication number: US20080289985A1
Application number: US11/804,767
Authority: US
Inventors: Bernice E. Pluth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-21
Filing date: 2007-05-21
Publication date: 2008-11-27

Abstract

A device includes an outer body and an inner region defined by the outer body. The inner region may have a first end having an opening therein and a second end. The inner region may comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned adjacent to the first end, the second portion positioned adjacent to the first portion and the second end. The first portion may be shaped to define a pin receiving portion for receiving the tip of a pin. The first portion may be comprised of a first material having a first density, while the second portion may be comprised of a second material having a second density. The first portion may contain a non-linear inner surface bounding the pin receiving portion. The inner surface may contain one or more protrusions extending therefrom, on one or both sides.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field of protective devices. More specifically, the embodiments of the invention relate to a device that may be used to cover the tip of a pin.
Pins have been used for a wide variety of applications. For example, pins are frequently used to secure two or more pieces of fabric together, or to secure an item to a hat. In one application, pins can be used to fix an item to a surface, such as a corsage to the front surface of a dress. When utilized for such applications, the tip of the pin is generally left exposed towards the body of a wearer. As most pins are utilized without any protective covering secured thereto, there exists a substantial possibility that a wearer of the pin may be poked or pricked by the tip of the pin during natural movement by the wearer, causing discomfort and bleeding. Therefore, there is a current need for a device that may be secured to the tip of a pin to protect a wearer of the pin from being injured by the pin.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

A pin tip covering device may include an outer body and an inner region defined by the outer body. The inner region may have a first end having an opening therein and a second end. The inner region may comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned adjacent to the first end, the second portion positioned adjacent to the first portion and the second end. The first portion may be shaped to define a pin receiving portion for receiving the tip of a pin. The first portion may be comprised of a first material having a first density, while the second portion may be comprised of a second material having a second density. The first portion may contain a non-linear inner surface bounding the pin receiving portion. The inner surface may contain one or more protrusions extending therefrom, on one or both sides. The outer body may be comprised of a durable polymer based material. The first material and the second material may be polymer based materials. The region of the outer body surrounding the second end may be rounded.
There has thus been outlined the features of some embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the embodiments of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an application of the pin tip covering device to secure a corsage on a wearer.

FIG. 2A shows a front view of the application of the pin tip covering device to the tip of a pin.

FIG. 2B shows a front view of the pin tip covering device covering the tip of a pin.

FIGS. 3-8 show cross-section views of various embodiments the pin tip covering device.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of an embodiment of the pin tip covering device.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of another embodiment of the pin tip covering device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals, FIG. 1 shows a front view of an application of the pin tip covering device to secure a corsage on a wearer. Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIG. 2A shows a front view of the application of pin tip covering device 10 to the tip of a pin 12, while FIG. 2B shows a front view of pin tip covering device 10 covering the tip of a pin 12. Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of an embodiment of pin tip covering device 10. Device 10 may include an outer body 20 and an inner region 30 defined by outer body 20. Inner region 30 may have a first end 32 having an opening 34 therein and a second end 36. Inner region 30 may comprise a first portion 38 and a second portion 40. First portion 38 may be positioned adjacent to first end 32, while second portion 40 may be positioned adjacent to first portion 38 and second end 36. First portion may be shaped to define a pin receiving portion 50 for receiving the tip of a pin (not shown). First portion 38 may be comprised of a material having a first density, while second portion 40 may be comprised of a material having a second density. As an example, first portion 38 and second portion 40 may be comprised of a polymer based material.
First portion 38 may contain an inner surface 42 bounding pin receiving portion 50. Inner surface 42 may contain one or more protrusions 44 extending therefrom. Protrusions 44 may be comprised of the same material as the material comprising first portion 38, for example a polymer based material. In other embodiments, protrusions 44 may be comprised of other materials. Outer body 20 may be comprised of a durable polymer based material. The region of outer body 20 surrounding second end 36 may be rounded. In other implementations, the region of outer body 20 surrounding second end 36 may be other shapes as recognized in the art.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section view of another embodiment of the pin tip covering device 100. Device 100 may include an outer body 110 and an inner region 120 defined by outer body 110. Inner region 120 may have a first end 122 having an opening 124 therein and a second end 126. Inner region 120 may comprise a first portion 128 and a second portion 130. First portion 128 may be positioned adjacent to first end 122, while second portion 130 may be positioned adjacent to first portion 128 and second end 126. First portion may be shaped to define a pin receiving portion 140 for receiving the tip of a pin (not shown). First portion 128 may be comprised of a material having a first density, while second portion 130 may be comprised of a material having a second density. As an example, first portion 128 and second portion 130 may be comprised of a polymer based material. First portion 128 may contain an inner surface 132 bounding pin receiving portion 140. Inner surface 132 may be non-linear in shape. Outer body 110 may be comprised of a durable polymer based material. The region of outer body 110 surrounding second end 126 may be rounded. In other implementations, the region of outer body 110 surrounding second end 126 may be other shapes as recognized in the art.
FIG. 5 shows a cross-section view of another embodiment of the pin tip covering device 200. Device 200 may include an outer body 210 and an inner region 220 defined by outer body 210. Inner region 220 may have a first end 222 having an opening 224 therein and a second end 226. Inner region 220 may comprise a first portion 228 and a second portion 230. First portion 228 may be positioned adjacent to first end 222, while second portion 230 may be positioned adjacent to first portion 228 and second end 226. First portion may be shaped to define a pin receiving portion 240 for receiving the tip of a pin (not shown). First portion 228 may be comprised of a material having a first density, while second portion 230 may be comprised of a material having a second density. As an example, first portion 228 and second portion 230 may be comprised of a polymer based material.
First portion 228 may contain an inner surface 232 bounding pin receiving portion 240. One side of inner surface 232 may contain one or more protrusions 234 extending therefrom. Protrusions 234 may be comprised of the same material as the material comprising first portion 228, for example a polymer based material. Protrusions 234 may extend across the width of pin receiving portion 240. In other embodiments, protrusions 234 may be comprised of other materials. Outer body 210 may be comprised of a durable polymer based material. The region of outer body 210 surrounding second end 226 may be rounded. In other implementations, the region of outer body 210 surrounding second end 226 may be other shapes as recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of another embodiment of the pin tip covering device 300. Device 300 may include an outer body 310 and an inner region 320 defined by outer body 310. Inner region 320 may have a first end 322 having an opening 324 therein and a second end 326. Inner region 320 may comprise a first portion 328 and a second portion 330. First portion 328 may be positioned adjacent to first end 322, while second portion 330 may be positioned adjacent to first portion 328 and second end 326. First portion may be shaped to define a pin receiving portion 340 for receiving the tip of a pin (not shown). First portion 328 may be comprised of a material having a first density, while second portion 330 may be comprised of a material having a second density. As an example, first portion 328 and second portion 330 may be comprised of a polymer based material.
First portion 328 may contain an inner surface 332 bounding pin receiving portion 340. Device 300 may include a metallic surface 334 within pin receiving portion 324. In some embodiments, metallic surface 334 may be attached to a portion of inner surface 332. Metallic surface 334 may be used to assist in keeping device 300 secured to a pin tip. Outer body 310 may be comprised of a durable polymer based material. The region of outer body 310 surrounding second end 326 may be rounded. In other implementations, the region of outer body 310 surrounding second end 326 may be other shapes as recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 7 shows a cross-section view of another embodiment of the pin tip covering device 400. Device 400 may include an outer body 410 and an inner region 420 defined by outer body 410. Inner region 420 may have a first end 422 having an opening 424 therein and a second end 426. Inner region 420 may comprise a first portion 428 and a second portion 430. First portion 428 may be positioned adjacent to first end 422, while second portion 430 may be positioned adjacent to first portion 428 and second end 426. First portion may be shaped to define a pin receiving portion 440 for receiving the tip of a pin (not shown). First portion 428 may be comprised of a material having a first density, while second portion 430 may be comprised of a material having a second density. As an example, first portion 428 and second portion 430 may be comprised of a polymer based material.
First portion 428 may contain an inner surface 432 bounding pin receiving portion 440. Device 400 may include a magnetic portion 434 within first portion 428. In some embodiments, magnetic portion 434 may be centrally located within first portion 428. In some embodiments, device 400 may include more than one magnetic portion 434 comprised of magnetic material. Magnetic portion 434 may be used to assist in keeping device 400 secured to a pin tip. Outer body 410 may be comprised of a durable polymer based material. The region of outer body 410 surrounding second end 426 may be rounded. In other implementations, the region of outer body 410 surrounding second end 426 may be other shapes as recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 8 shows a cross-section view of another embodiment of the pin tip covering device 500. Device 500 may include an outer body 510 and an inner region 520 defined by outer body 510. Inner region 520 may have a first end 522 having an opening 524 therein and a second end 526. Inner region 520 may comprise a first portion 528 and a second portion 530. First portion 528 may be positioned adjacent to first end 522, while second portion 530 may be positioned adjacent to first portion 528 and second end 526. First portion may be shaped to define a pin receiving portion 540 for receiving the tip of a pin (not shown). First portion 528 may be comprised of a material having a first density, while second portion 530 may be comprised of a material having a second density. As an example, first portion 528 and second portion 530 may be comprised of a polymer based material.
First portion 528 may contain an inner surface 532 bounding pin receiving portion 540. Device 500 may include a pin receiving insert 534 coupled within pin receiving portion 524. Pin receiving insert 534 may contain one or more jagged inner surfaces 536. Jagged inner surfaces 536 may be used to assist in keeping device 500 secured to a pin tip. Outer body 510 may be comprised of a durable polymer based material. The region of outer body 510 surrounding second end 526 may be rounded. In other implementations, the region of outer body 510 surrounding second end 526 may be other shapes as recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, FIG. 9 shows a front view of device 10, illustrating the shape of outer body 20. FIG. 10 shows a front view of another embodiment of the pin tip covering device 600. Device 600 may comprise an outer body 610 and a first end 620 having an opening therein (not shown) wherein a pin may be inserted therethrough. Device 600 may be square in shape, as compared with device 10. However, device 600 may comprise other shapes to accommodate pins of various sizes and shapes, as recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.
With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the present invention.
The above description, together with the advantages of the invention and the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A pin tip covering device comprising:

an outer body; and

an inner region defined by the outer body, the inner region having a first end having an opening therein and a second end, the inner region comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned adjacent to the first end, the second portion positioned adjacent to the first portion and the second end, the first portion shaped to define a pin receiving portion for receiving the tip of a pin, the first portion comprised of a first material having a first density, the second portion comprised of a second material having a second density, the second density being greater than the first density.

2. The pin tip covering device of claim 1, wherein the outer body is comprised of a durable polymer based material.

3. The pin tip covering device of claim 1, wherein the first material and the second material are polymer based materials.

4. The pin tip covering device of claim 1, wherein region of the outer body surrounding the second end is rounded.

5. The pin tip covering device of claim 1, wherein the first portion contains an inner surface, the inner surface bounding the pin receiving portion, whereby the inner surface is shaped to contact a pin tip that may be positioned within the pin receiving portion.

6. The pin tip covering device of claim 5, wherein the inner surface contains one or more protrusions extending therefrom.

7. The pin tip covering device of claim 6, wherein the one or more protrusions are comprised of a polymer based material.

8. The pin tip covering device of claim 6, wherein the one or more protrusions extend from one side of the inner surface.

9. The pin tip covering device of claim 5, wherein the inner surface is non-linear in shape.

10. The pin tip covering device of claim 5 further comprising an angled metallic surface attached to a portion of the inner surface.

11. The pin tip covering device of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a magnet located therein.

12. The pin tip covering device of claim 11, wherein the first portion contains an inner surface, the inner surface bounding the pin receiving portion, wherein the magnet is positioned substantially adjacent to the inner surface.

13. The pin tip covering device of claim 1, further comprising a pin receiving insert coupled within the pin receiving portion.

14. The pin tip covering device of claim 13, wherein the pin receiving insert contains one or more jagged inner surfaces.

15. A pin tip covering device comprising:

an outer body; and

an inner region defined by the outer body, the inner region having a first end having an opening therein and a second end, the inner region comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned adjacent to the first end, the first portion containing an inner surface, the inner surface bounding a pin receiving portion, whereby the inner surface is shaped to contact a pin tip that may be positioned within the pin receiving portion, the second portion positioned adjacent to the first portion and the second end, the first portion comprised of a first material having a first density, the second portion comprised of a second material having a second density, the second density being greater than the first density.

16. The pin tip covering device of claim 15, wherein the inner surface contains one or more protrusions extending therefrom.

17. The pin tip covering device of claim 16, wherein the one or more protrusions are comprised of a polymer based material.

18. The pin tip covering device of claim 16, wherein the one or more protrusions extend from one side of the inner surface.

19. The pin tip covering device of claim 15, wherein the inner surface is non-linear in shape.

20. A pin tip covering device comprising:

an outer body; and

an inner region defined by the outer body, the inner region having a first end having an opening therein and a second end, the inner region comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned adjacent to the first end, the first portion containing a non-linear inner surface, the inner surface bounding a pin receiving portion and shaped to contact a pin tip that may be positioned within the pin receiving portion, the inner surface containing one or more protrusions extending therefrom, the second portion positioned adjacent to the first portion and the second end, the first portion comprised of a first material having a first density, the second portion comprised of a second material having a second density, the second density being greater than the first density.